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On the Road with Felix
Options abound for vacationing with and without your feline, but be sure to plan ahead
By Sally E. Bahner
While travels with dogs are the stuff of legends, there’s no doubt that cats can be considered homebodies. Excepting Peter Gethers’ Norton and Christopher Wren’s Henrietta, cats are more likely to be found curled up asleep in a sunny windowsill, rather than sharing a window seat on an airplane.
That’s not saying you have to forgo a vacation in deference to your cat. Accommodations can be made, from taking steps to making him comfortable traveling to finding a reliable pet sitter to choosing a "home away from home."
Traveling by car with your cat is probably preferable since airlines are making it more difficult and expensive to fly with pets. In either case, a sturdy, roomy carrier is required. Felix should see this as a home away from home, so be sure he’s comfortable in it beforehand. Make it a habit to leave the door open, place a soft bed or blanket inside, sprinkle some catnip and toss in a few treats.
If he’s not used to traveling at all, gets carsick or vocalizes, desensitize him gradually by taking brief road trips. This will also help if he associates the carrier only with vet visits. Spiritessence.com makes "Easy Traveler," a remedy based on the Bach flower remedies that calms vomiting, pacing, vocalizing and drooling. The essence is misted into the carrier, used in drinking water or dabbed on the ears; there are no side effects.
Regardless of the length of the trip you plan, make sure Felix is comfortable in a harness and leash. A "walking jacket" (www. metpet.com/ walking_jacket_forcats. htm) offers extra security; it comes in a hard-sided and soft-sided version and costs around $17. Consider having him microchipped and make sure his collar has current identification information. Bring food and water from home to avoid tummy upsets. It may sound like a no brainer, but do not leave your cat alone in a locked car – would you leave your child unattended?
Ikea makes a really nice travel ensemble for your cat. The bright red "hat box" (pictured at top) contains a comfy bed, two stainless steel dishes, a collar and a special toy, plus there’s room for some cans of food ($20). For security during travel breaks Ikea also makes an elegant black leather harness and leash that’s accented with rhinestones. (It’s wise to acclimate your cat to a leash and harness before hitting the road).
When it comes to stopping for the night be sure your hotel accepts four-footed travelers. Check out www.petswelcome.com or www.pet-friendly-hotels.net for listings. Some hotels or motels may charge a security deposit to cover carpet cleaning, accidents or special allergy treatment. As a courtesy, sweep up litter and rinse out smelly cat food cans. Oh, and if you can’t find your cat and you’re sure he didn’t escape, look under the bed, and particularly the box spring – if there’s a rip or tear, it’s a perfect hiding place!
Since most cats prefer to remain in their own environment, choosing an attentive caregiver to look in on your feline family is important. The teenager next door may be suitable for a night or two, but longer absences require someone experienced with in-home attention. While a pet sitter may cost a bit more, there’s a certain peace of mind in knowing that a professional is caring for your pet.
In addition to the basics – feeding, litter box scooping and playing – pet sitters offer a lot of extras such as giving medications, claw clipping and grooming, bringing in mail and newspapers, and watering plants. Some can even arrange to stay overnight.
An in-house pre-trip interview is mandatory and an ideal pet sitter should be insured and bonded and know basic first aid. Ask for client references and what kind of training she has had; many double as vet techs. Watch how she interacts with your cat, how relaxed she seems around him. Get the costs nailed down beforehand since the extras can add up; visits start at $16 to $17.
In turn, you will need to provide information on any special care that’s required, including the number of your veterinarian; notes on any quirky habits can be helpful.
A list of professional pet sitters can be found at Pet Sitters International (www. petsit.com) and National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (www. petsitters.org). Word of mouth is also a good way to find a reliable pet sitter and don’t forget to ask at your veterinarian’s office, since many vet techs moonlight in that capacity.
Another option are cats-only boarding facilities that offer around-the-clock care without the aggravation of barking dogs. They’re all chock-full of feline-friendly amenities and are downright luxurious, featuring rooms with views of bird feeding stations and aquariums, piped-in easy-listening music, special playtimes, and bedtime treats. Special needs cats can also be accommodated. Premium food is offered or you can provide food from home. Multiple cat and extended stay discounts are usually available. Regardless of the facility, your cat will need to be current on vaccinations and free of fleas.
Cat owners are encouraged to visit the facilities beforehand and need to make reservations in advance. Dawn Day of the Catnap Inn in Guilford told of a traveler headed for Europe who wanted to board her cat for an extended period of time (a service offered by many facilities). "But she was leaving the next day!" says Day.
Catnap Inn, which is an extension of Dawn and Job Day’s Daybreak Farm, is set back off the Boston Post Road in Guilford, near I-95’s exit 57. Felines can play and relax in hand-crafted, three-story suites with 21 square feet of floor space. A state-of-the-art air filtration, sterilization and ventilating system provides a disease- and odor-free environment. Special meal treats are available for the holidays. Catnap Inn is fully state inspected and licensed. The cost is $17 per day and $29 for two cats sharing the same suite; the final day of the stay is free with check-out before noon.
Catnap Inn, 1868 Boston Post Road, Guilford, 203-458-7877, www.catnapinn.us.
Whiskers Inn in Old Saybrook bills itself as the bed and breakfast for cats along the shoreline since 1988. Nestled in a log cabin in the woods, the facility is currently owned by Heidi Landick who is a nurse. The double units have fluffy beds and full-size litter boxes, and guests have access to large windows for bird watching and opportunities for playtime. Whiskers Inn charges $17 per guest per day and two cats from the same family can share a unit for $26. Extras include flea treatment, bathing, grooming and nail clipping. According to Manager Dawn Curtis, the B&B is undergoing some updating: new condos are being installed, the area is being rearranged and guests will soon be treated to a fish tank. In the future, they hope to create a safe outdoor run and renovate a garage area to accommodate additional condos.
Whiskers Inn, 71 Otter Cove Dr., Old Saybrook, 860-388-6565, www. whiskersinn. com
Val DaCosta, who runs Captain Kitt’s in Clinton with her husband Tim Zeigler, is proud that her facility has won "best of" on the kennel category in the New Haven Advocate’s 2009 readers’ poll. "We have a real big draw," she says.
Feline guests can enjoy suites at various levels of luxury, ranging from a standard one of 12 to 14 cubic feet ($20 a night) to Captain’s quarters that accommodate three to four cats with views of both the aquarium and birdfeeders ($30 a night). In between are Surf & Turf ($22), which includes an unobstructed view of the 55-gallons aquarium and personal window and First Mate’s Quarters ($25) for three to four cats with views of the aquarium. Custom packages are also available. A discount is offered for visitors who stay more 30 days and, due to the economy, customers can take advantage of a cash discount.
Included in the stay is a Happy Hour with real shrimp or salmon snacks and a Catnip Night Cap: Every night ends with cat nip cocktail and Snuggle Sale bed warmers in the winter. A host of extras include private fish bowl with Beta fish, wheat grass tray for grazing, massage, daily brush out, daily voice messages recorded and played from owners and flea treatment.
Captain Kitts, 46 Killingworth Turnpike (Route 81), Clinton, 860-669-6369, www. captainkitts. com
So regardless of your get-away plans for the summer, there are safe options for including your felines, whether or not they accompany you. You plan ahead for your own vacation; make sure you plan ahead for theirs.
Sally Bahner is a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and offers feline consultation services. She is "Dear Sally" on Tracie Hotchner’s Cat Chat Radio (www.catchatradio.com), found on Sirius Satellite Radio, Martha Stewart Living channel. She is a longtime editor and writer on everything feline. Visit www.exclusivelycats.wordpress.com.
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